Works

2 CHRON. XXIX. XXX, XXXI.

[World 3282] [Ahaz 15] [Hezekiah 1] [Hoshea 4] [Division 253] HEZEKIAHS first year properly; and so is it reckoned, 2 King. 18. 9. 10. for his fourth year is said to be Hosheas seventh, and his sixth Hosheas 9. For though the beginning of his reign was somewhat coincident with the third of Hoshea, yet was it but a little time, and that year was soon out: therefore the Holy Ghost doth tell us, when it was that he began his reign at the very first: namely in Hosheas third: yet he rather counteth the beginning of his first year, from the first day of a new year, and from his entering upon the work of reformation, then from the other date.

Hezekiah upon the first day of the year beginneth to cleanse the house of the Lord, and even in the life time of Ahaz casteth out those defilements that Ahaz had brought into the Temple, in eighty and eight days the Priests do cleanse the house and the Court, and by Sacrifices they make a new Dedication. In the second Month they appoint and keep the Passover, and Hezekiah and the Princes send throughout all the ten Tribes to invite them to come in to the true Religion: this overture of reconciliation to God, and to the house of David they have now before they be destroyed: some of them embrace it, come and eat the Passover, but not purified: yet by Hezekiah's prayer all goes well with them. The people departing from this Passover go abroad through the land, and break down Idols, not only in Judah but also in divers places of the Country of the ten Tribes. Hezekiah at Jerusalem restoreth the Priests to their courses, and the Tithes to the Priests.

In this purging and cleansing of the Temple, which Hezekiah performed in the beginning of his reign it may well be supposed, that that Copy of Solomon's Proverbs was found mentioned, Prov. 25. 1. and was transcribed by some of Hezekiah's servants out of the old Manuscript, which it is like was much soiled and spotted with time and neglect.

2 KING. XVII. ver. 3.

[World 3282] [Ahaz 15] [Hezekiah 1] [Hoshea 4] [Division 253] HOSHEA after his subjection to the King of Assyria, and receiving his Crown from him, yet revolteth and relieth upon the King of Egypt. Thus did the ten Tribes trust in Egypt before their captiving; and so likewise did Judah before her captivity, as they had both trusted on Assyria.

2 KING. XVI. verse. 19, 20. 2 CHRON. XXVIII. ver. 26, 27.

[World 3283] [Ahaz 16] [Hezekiah 2] [Hoshea 5] [Division 254] AHAZ dieth having lived a good while a deposed King, and having seen his Son depose the Idolatry that he had erected.

[World 3283] [Ahaz 16] [Hezekiah 2] [Hoshea 5] [Division 254] EGypt becomes a broken Reed to Israel: they lean upon it, but it does pierce their hand, and not support them.

ESAY XIV. from verse. 28. to the end.

IN the year that Ahaz died Isaiah prophesieth against the Philistines, that whereas Uzziah had been a Serpent to them, and had bitten them sore, as 2 Chron. 26. 6. but when he was dead they insulted over Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28. 18. that now Hezekiah should prove a Cockatrice to them, and smite them again, as it came to pass, 2 King. 18. 8. That God would first bring upon them a famine, and then Hezekiah's sword, and finally, a Northern power that should utterly dissolve them. But that the terrible Messengers of the Assyrian Nation, that should come against Jerusalem, as Rabshakeh and Rabsaris, &c. should receive this answer, That God hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people should trust in it, and the Assyrian should not prevail against it.

HOSEA VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV.

ABOUT this time were all these Chapters of Hosea delivered, as may be collected by these three observations. 1. The common and constant speech, that the Prophet maketh to Ephraim in them, showeth, that these things were spoken to the ten Tribes before they were captived, whose Captivity is now within four years to come. 2. That this was spoken after Hoshea had entertained amity with Egypt, of which there is mention, 2 Kings 17. 4. For see how Chap. 7. 11. & 12. 1. do speak of and intimate such a thing. And 3. That this was spoken after the expedition of Shalman mentioned before; in which expedition he destroyed Betharbel, Chap. 10. 14. and before his second expedition, when he should destroy Bethel.

ESAY XIV. from verse. 28. to the end.

IN the year that Ahaz died Isaiah prophesieth against the Philistines, that whereas Uzziah had been a Serpent to them, and had bitten them sore, as 2 Chron. 26. 6. but when he was dead they insulted over Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28. 18. that now Hezekiah should prove a Cockatrice to them, and smite them again, as it came to pass, 2 King. 18. 8. That God would first bring upon them a famine, and then Hezekiah's sword, and finally, a Northern power that should utterly dissolve them. But that the terrible Messengers of the Assyrian Nation, that should come against Jerusalem, as Rabshakeh and Rabsaris, &c. should receive this answer, That God hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people should trust in it, and the Assyrian should not prevail against it.

HOSEA VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV.

ABOUT this time were all these Chapters of Hosea delivered, as may be collected by these three observations. 1. The common and constant speech, that the Prophet maketh to Ephraim in them, showeth, that these things were spoken to the ten Tribes before they were captived, whose Captivity is now within four years to come. 2. That this was spoken after Hoshea had entertained amity with Egypt, of which there is mention, 2 Kings 17. 4. For see how Chap. 7. 11. & 12. 1. do speak of and intimate such a thing. And 3. That this was spoken after the expedition of Shalman mentioned before; in which expedition he destroyed Betharbel, Chap. 10. 14. and before his second expedition, when he should destroy Bethel.

2 KING. XVIII. verse. 4. 5, 6, 7, 8.

[World 3284] [Hezekiah 3] [Hoshea 6] [Division 255] HEZEKIAH still goeth [Hezekiah 4] [Hoshea 7] [Division 256] on in his uprightness, [Hezekiah 5] [Hoshea 8] [Division 257] and in reforming: He destroyeth the brazen Serpent [World 3287] [Hezekiah 6] [Hoshea 9] [Division 258] which the people had Idolized. [Hezekiah 7] [Division 259] It was now about seven hundred [Hezekiah 8] [Division 260] and thirty years old. He [Hezekiah 9] [Division 261] conquereth the Philistines, as [Hezekiah 10] [Division 262] Isaiah had prophesied of him, [Hezekiah 11] [Division 263] Isaiah 14. 28. and smote them [Hezekiah 12] [Division 264] even unto Gaza and the borders [Hezekiah 13] [Division 265] thereof 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. both garrisoned Towers, or Castles, and fenced Cities. He also rebelled against the King of Assyria, who had set him upon the Throne, and would no more homage him; relying upon the Lord for assistance, to keep the Throne of David free from such slavery.

2 KING. XVII. verse. 4. to verse. 24. & XVIII. ver. 9, 10, 11, 12.

[World 3284] [Hezekiah 3] [Hoshea 6] [Division 255] HOSHEA imprisoned [Hezekiah 4] [Hoshea 7] [Division 256] for disloyalty.

[Hezekiah 5] [Hoshea 8] [Division 257] Samaria besieged.

Samaria still besieged.

[World 3287] [Hezekiah 6] [Hoshea 9] [Division 258] Samaria taken, and the ten [Hezekiah 7] [Division 259] Tribes captived. Israel is now [Hezekiah 8] [Division 260] Lo-ruchamah, No more pitied, [Hezekiah 9] [Division 261] Hos. 1. 6. The Story of the [Hezekiah 10] [Division 262] King of Assyria's planting Samaria [Hezekiah 11] [Division 263] with a mixed people, is [Hezekiah 12] [Division 264] related instantly after the story [Hezekiah 13] [Division 265] of her captiving, though they were a great while distant, that the story of Samaria might be related and concluded all at once. And observe how the story of its captiving is related twice, viz. Chap. 17. as referring to the times of Hoshea, and Chap. 18. as reserving to the times of Hezekiah.

ESAY XV, XVI.

IN these fifteenth and sixteenth Chapters there is a sad Prophesy against Moab, which was to have its accomplishment within three years after it was prophesied, Chap. 16. 14. Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned. Seder Olam applies these three years to the three years of the siege of Samaria, where he conceiveth the Moabites like base hirelings did assist the King of Assyria against Israel; and for these three years base service, the Lord would requite her with confusion and contempt: But the like threatening being used against Kedar, and terminated within one year, Chap. 21. 16. doth show that this is to be taken in the proper sense of coming to pass within three years. Now when this ruin and misery of Moab befell, it is not specified, nor whence these three years are to be dated, can it be determined. But only thus much may be concluded; That the Assyrian Army was continually abroad and conquering up and down, both in the time of Shalmanezer, and in the time of Sennacherib; and whether Shalmanesers Army before the taking of Samaria, or after, or Sennacherib's Army before his coming up to Jerusalem, did destroy and subdue Moab, it is uncertain; but that one of these did it at someone of these times, it is more then probable; for the Prophet can hardly possibly be interpreted to any other date; and to which of these times soever it be referred, the order of these Chapters will yet appear very proper as we have laid them in the first thirteen years of Hezekiah.

ESAY XVIII, XIX.

A Prophesy against Assyria and Egypt, the one the scourge, and the other the carnal confidence of Israel: He calleth Assyria the land shadowing with wings, descanting upon his own phrase which he had used in Chap. 8. 8. The stretching out of his wings shall fill thy Land O Immanuel. And foretelleth of the destruction of the Host of Assyria, by the stroke of the Angel. He also prophesieth the destruction of Egypt, and Judah's going down to dwell there, even to the filling of five Cities with the Language of Canaan, but those should prove also Cities of Destruction: Yet in time Egypt and Assyria and Israel, should come to the obedience of the Gospel.

ESAY XX.

IN the year that Tarton took Ashdod, Isaiah hath another Prophesy against Egypt, and one against Ethiopia: Tartan was an Assyrian chief Commander under Sennacherib, 2 Kings 18. 17. and it is very probable that he died among the 185000 men that were slain by the Angel, 2 Kings 19. ver. 35. 2 Chron. 32. 21. And so his taking of Ashdod must fall out before that time; And this consideration doth help very well to know the time and method of this Chapter. Isaiah was now in sackcloth, mourning belike for the ten Tribes captiving: And the Assyrian Army is now abroad taking in Cities and places as fast as it can; and the Lord in this Chapter threatens the two most potent Kingdoms then extant, Egypt and Cush, that they shall both be captived and shamefully used by Assyriah. Tarhakah King of Cush faceth Se • nacherib, 2 King. 19. 9. and is foiled by him, as appeareth, Chap, 43. 3.

ESAY XXI.

ABout the same time hath the Prophet a sad vision against Babylon now rising, and against Dumah and Kedar, Countries of Arabia, see Gen. 25. 13, 14. and foretelleth of Kedars ruin within one year, which directeth us to the order and time of this Prophesy; namely, that it was in these conquering times of the Assyrian, before he received his sad blow by the Angel.

He foretelleth of Babylon, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ver. 2. That there should be a cozener of Babylon the cozener, and a spoiler of that spoiler, and that all sighing through Babylonian pressures should cease: That Belshazzers night of pleasure and banqueting should be turned into fear, verse. 4. That while they were furnishing Tables, and setting Sentinels to watch while they eat and drank, the alarm should be given, and they should cry Arise ye Princes and anoint the shield, ver. 5.

By a couple of Horse-men and two Chariots of different draughts he charactreth Cyrus, and Darius, and the Median and Persian Nation, verse. 7. and proclaimeth the ruin of Babylon by them.

Of Dumah he telleth, that in Seir or Idumea it would be questioned, what was the issue of that night when Babylon was destroyed, Watchmen, what of that night? And the issue and the answer should be, that first a morning or some dawning from Babylon's bondage was sprung, but afterward a sad night of sorrow should come on Dumah also, as it had done on Babylon. That Arabias tents should be so spoiled that they should be forced to lodge in the open forest, &c.

ESAY XXII.

THIS Chapter containeth a sad Prophesy against Judea, which he calleth, The valley of vision, because of God's revealing himself there to his Prophets: He foretelleth in it the heavy times that were coming upon that people of Judea, by the Assyrian Army, before it was miraculously destroyed. That the slain thereof should not only be slain with the sword, nor dead only by battle, but dead with famine, verse. 2. for the invasion of that Army should cause husbandry to be neglected, so that Briars and Thorns should come upon the land through this neglect, and there should be this trouble for many days and years together, and lamenting for the pleasant Fields and the fruitful Vine, as Chap. 32. 10. 12, 13. Elam and Kir, Persia and Assyria should be combined in this invasion, and should fill the Country with Charets and Horsmen: that by this misery the Lord should discover the covering, or uncloak the hypocrisy and pretences of Judah, for now they would show their carnal confidence, ver. 9. 10, 11. and their carnal security, verse. 12. 13. He prophesieth of the displacing of Shebna from being over the household, and placing of Eliakim in his room: which was accomplished, and was come to pass when Rabshakeh lay before Jerusalem, Isaiah 36. 22.

ESAY XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXIX.

AS in the two and twentieth Chapter the Prophet had foretold the misery and perplexity of Judea by Sennacherib's army before the Angel destroyed it, so in the first and last of these Chapters he declareth the final desolation of it by Nebuchadnezzar, as he doth the desolation of Tyrus by him, Chap. 23. and the final desolalation of Ephraim by Shalmaneser, Chap. 28. He mingleth many sweet and gracious promises and comforts among his threatenings, &c. He calleth the Altar Ariel, and Jerusalem Ariel, or the Lion of God, the one for devouring sacrifices, the other for devouring men by slaughter: And he threateneth that God would distress Ariel the City, and it should be as Ariel the Altar, with abundance of slain about it, Chap. 29. 2.

ESAY XXX. XXXI.

THE oppression and terror of the Assyrian Army made perplexed Judea look after an arm of flesh, the reed of Egypt, as Chap. 36. 9. This carnal confidence the Prophet taxeth smartly in these two Chapters: yet for his promise sake assureth of deliverance, and foretelleth the Divine vengeance upon the Assyrian. The misery and oppression by this Army, what under Shalmaneser, and what under Sennacherib had been long, and had been grievous; so that they had eaten the bread of adversity, and drunken the water of affliction, and their teachers had been removed into corners, &c. Chap. 30. 20. But as the stream of the Assyrian power had overflowed and rought up even to the neck, as Chap. 8. 8. so should the Lord's anger do now to him, Chap. 30. 28. And they of Jerusalem should have joy in the night, ver. 29. Compare Chap. 37. 36. for the Assyrian should be beaten down with the voice of the Lord, ver. 31. In the valley of Hinnom or Tophet, ver. 33. And should fall, not by the sword either of great, or mean man, but of the mighty God, Chap. 31. 8. These and other particulars do plainly clear the method of these Chapters, and show they lie here in their proper time.

ESAY XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV.

UNTO the same times are we to refer these Chapters also, speaking amongst other things of the sad times that Judah suffered while the Assyrian Army was ranging and destroying up and down, before the Lord destroyed him: That he should spoil the Vintage and Husbandry, Chap. 32. 10. 12. and that he made the Highways waste, and cared not to keep any Covenant that he made, Chap. 33 8. but he should be destroyed, and so should the other enemies of the Church, particularly Edom, who was a constant adversary, Chap. 34. and good and comfortable things should accrue to Zion, Chap. 35.

MICAH III, IV, V, VI, VII.

THE last verse of the third of Micah is owned by the men of Jeremiah's time, to have been uttered in the time of Hezekiah, Jer. 26. 18. and here may both that whole Chapter, and all the Chapters that follow it be very well placed, as Prophesied in some time of Hezekiah's first thirteen years, before Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem; for in Chap. 5. 1. he seemeth to speak of that siege, and of Sennacherib's blasphemy both against God and Hezekiah, smiting the Judge of Israel as with a rod upon the cheek; and he fore-telleth that Christ should be the people's peace in the Assyrians invasion; and that though the proud enemy thought to triumph and tread down the chief City of all the Nation, Jerusalem, yet should that be so far from being insulted over by him, that Bethlehem a poor Town should yield and produce one that should tread both the Assyrian and all other the Churches enemies underfoot. And so as the birth of Christ of a Virgin was a sign to Ahaz, so is his birth in Bethlehem a sign in the days of Hezekiah.

The Prophesy of NAHUM, all.

IN these days of Hezekiah also lived Nahum the Prophet, and was one of the comforters of Jerusalem, Isaiah 40. 1. against the burden and terrors of Assyria. He is generally held to have prophesied in the days of Manasseh with Habakkuk, which he might very well do, beginning in the reign of Hezekiah, and continuing in Manasseh. He mentioneth the evil counsel of Sennacherib against the Lord, and fore-telleth his death in his Idol Temple, Chap. 1. 11. 14. and denounceth destruction to Nineveh, the chief City of Assyria, &c.

2 KINGS XVIII. from ver. 13. to the end, and XIX. all. 2 CHRON. XXXII. from beginning to verse. 24. ESAY XXXVI. & XXXVII.

[World 3295] [Diwision 266] [Hezekiah 14] SENNACHERIB the King of Assyria, having invaded Judah, Hezekiah sends a submission to him at Lachish; who cheatingly gets three hundred and thirty Talents from him, and then departs not away from him for all that year. The Assyrian first sends some of his servants with a Message to Jerusalem, to have persuaded the people out of their own defense; but when that would not prevail, he sendeth a great force against the City; where Rabshakah in the head of them revileth Hezekiah, and the Lord, &c. But Hezekiah praying and sending to Isaiah hath a comfortable answer; and a comfortable sign; A comfortable answer, that the King of Assyria should be bridled and muzzled, and this very thing should be a comfortable sign for the future, that God would prevent the famine which they had great cause to fear; and that God would establish them for the time to come. The Assyrian Army had spoiled all their tillage thorough the Country for a long time, as Chap. 32. 9, 10, 12, 13. &c. and what shall they do now for meat and sustenance, if they scape that Army? Why eat this year what groweth of itself, and what may be found up and down on the Trees and the ground. But what must they do the next year? Which was a year of release and rest, as every seventh year was, and they might not till the ground? Why, Providebit Deus, God will also then provide for them of what grows of itself again, and then the third year sow and reap, and return to your old peace and prosperity.

ESAY XXXVIII. 2 KING. XX. to ver. 12. & 2 CHRON. XXXII. ver. 24.

HEZEKIAHS sickness of the Plague seemeth to have been in the very time while the Assyrian Army lay about Jerusalem; for though the destruction of that Army, by the Angel, be related before the Story of his sickness, yet that his sickness was while that Army was alive may be conjectured upon these two collections.

First, It is past all doubt that his sickness was this very same year that the Assyrian Army was destroyed by the Angel, for if he reigned nine and twenty years, as 2 King. 18. 2. and that stroke of the Angel upon that Army was in his fourteenth year, as verse. 13. of that Chapter; and he lived fifteen years after his sickness, as 2 King. 20. 6. then it makes that matter past controverting.

Secondly, The Lord in his sickness doth not only promise him recovery from his disease, but also that he will deliver him and that City out of the hand of the King of Assyria; which shows there was then danger to him and Jerusalem from that King; And this may be conceived one cause that made Hezekiah to weep so bitterly when the message of death was denounced unto him; because he was to leave Jerusalem and Judea under the pressure and danger of the Assyrian Tyrant, and must not see the delivery of it.

Therefore though the whole story of Sennacherib be laid together as was fit; yet can I not but in my thoughts insert this story of Hezekiah's sickness, before the destruction of his Army; as no doubt it came to pass before Sennacherib's death; and yet is that storyed before it, for the concluding of his History all at once.

To Hezekiah alone is it given to know the term of his life; and the Sun in the Firmament knoweth not his going down, that Hezekiah may know his.

2 KING. XX. from verse. 12. to verse. 20. ESAY XXXIX. all. 2 CHRON. XXXII. verse. 25, 26.

MErodach, or Berodach-Baladan, the King of Babel, visiteth Hezekiah by his Ambassadors, to congratulate his recovery, and to inquire after the miracle of the Sun turning back. The Lord left Hezekiah to try what was in his heart, and it shown folly. The Lord foretells by the Prophet the captivity into Babel, which City and Kingdom is now small, and under the power of the Assyrian, before it rise to be the golden head. For observe in 2 Chron. 33. 11. that Babel is in the hand of the King of Assyria, The Captains of the host of the King of Assyria carried Manasseh unto Babel.

It might very well be that Eser-haddon who succeeded Sennacherib in the Assyrian Monarchy, took offense at Merodach-Baladan, for his intimacy and familiarity with Hezekiah, and thereupon set upon Babel, and took it out of his hands. Babel had been tributary to the Crown of Assyria hitherto, the Assyrian having built it for some of his servants that traded upon Euphrates in Ships, and made it a fair City; but now Eserhaddon subdued it, and defaced it, Isaiah 23. 13.

2 CHRON. XXXII. from verse. 27. to end. 2 KINGS XX. verse. 20, 21.

[Division 267] [Hezekiah 15] HEZEKIAH liveth these fifteen years in safety and prosperity, [Division 268] [Hezekiah 16] having humbled himself before the Lord for his pride to the Ambassadors [Division 269] [Hezekiah 17] of Babel: The degrees of the Suns reversing, and the fifteen [Division 270] [Hezekiah 18] years of Hezekiah's life prolonging, may call to our minds the fifteen [Division 271] [Hezekiah 19] Psalms of degrees, viz. from Psalm 120 and forward: There were Hezekiah's [Division 272] [Hezekiah 20] songs that were sung to the stringed instruments in the House of [Division 273] [Hezekiah 21] the Lord, Isaiah 38. 21. whether these were picked out by him for that [Division 274] [Hezekiah 22] purpose, be it left to censure. The Jews hold they were called Psalms [Division 275] [Hezekiah 23] of degrees, because they were sung upon the fifteen stairs that rose into [Division 276] [Hezekiah 24] the Courts of the Temple. Who so in reading those Psalms shall have [Division 277] [Hezekiah 25] his thoughts, upon the danger of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, and her delivery, and the sickness of Hezekiah and his recovery, shall find that they fit those occasions in many places very well. But I assert nothing, but leave it to examination.

[Division 278] [Hezekiah 26] 1 CHRON. IV. from verse. 34. to the end.

[Division 279] [Hezekiah 27] IN the time of Hezekiah some of the Simeonites subdue the Meunims [Division 280] [Hezekiah 28] and the Amalekites. It is most likely it was not in the former fourteen years of Hezekiah, when the Assyrian Army was all abroad, and none durst peep out, but in his last fifteen years, when that Army was destroyed and gone.

[World 3310] [Division 281] [Hezekiah 29] Hezekiah dieth.

ESAY XXIII. & ESAY XL, XLI, &c. to the end of the Book.

THE prophesying of Isaiah is concluded by the Title of his Book in the times of Hezekiah [though the Hebrews of old have held, that he lived and died in the days of Manasseh, and was sawn asunder by him. The Epistle to the Hebrews may seem to speak to that, Heb. 11. 37.] therefore according to the Chronology of the title of the Book in the first verse of it, these Chapters that are set after the Story of Hezekiah's fourteenth year, or after the Story of the destruction of the Assyrians, and Hezekiah's recovery, are all to be allotted to the fifteen years of his prolonged life, since there is no direction to lay all of them, or any of them in any time else, &c.

The three and twentieth Chapter also falleth under the same time, even towards the latter end of Hezekiah's reign, when the King of Assyria had now taken Babel. This is apparent by ver. 13. spoken of a little before; for there the Lord threateneth Tyrus by the example of Babel; that City had been founded by the Assyrian for his Ships and Shipmen to traffick upon Euphrates, as Tyrus was built on the Sea for the like purpose, but now the Assyrian had brought that to ruin, and so should the case of Tyrus be by the Babylonians. Nebuchad-nezzar destroyed Tyrus, Ezek. 29. 18.

Now the reason why this Chapter, that fell so late in Hezekiah's time, is yet laid in that place where it is, is this: because the Prophesies against those Countries which lay so together, might lie also together, and threatenings and denunciations of Judgments might come as it were all in one body: For it may be observed, that very much of this Book that lieth before the Story of Sennacherib is threatening and terror, and the most of the Book that lieth after is comfort and promises. Only upon mention and promise of Cyrus, Chap. 44. & 45. there is a grievous threatening of Babylon, which ere long grew great, Chap. 46. & 47. for Cyrus was to destroy it.

2 KING. XXI. to verse. 17. 2 CHRON. XXXIII. to verse. 11.

[World 3311] [Division 282] [Manasseh 1] MANASSEH reigneth 55 years. A very bad son of a very good [Division 283] [Manasseh 2] father: He equalleth or rather exceedeth the very Canaanites in [Division 284] [Manasseh 3] abominable wickedness: He is a most extreme Idolater, Murderer, and [Division 285] [Manasseh 4] Conjurer.

[Division 286] [Manasseh 5] 2 KING. XVII. from verse. 24. to end.

[Division 287] [Manasseh 6] In his time the Kings of Assyria planted Samaria with a mongrel people [Division 288] [Manasseh 7] from divers Countries: Esar-haddon was the man, Ezr. 4. 2. who seemeth [Division 289] [Manasseh 8] also to be called Asnapper, verse. 10. unless the Commander in chief in [Division 290] [Manasseh 9] that expedition bare that name. These Samaritans newly settled are devoured [Division 291] [Manasseh 10] with Lions, as the Prophet that came from Samaria was, 1 King. [Division 292] [Manasseh 11] 13. for doing contrary to the Lord. In after times they grow constant [Division 293] [Manasseh 12] enemies, and bitter against the Jews: yet cometh Josiah in the next generation [Division 294] [Manasseh 13] and destroyeth the relics of Idolatry in the very midst of them. [Division 295] [Manasseh 14] To this Plantation of the Country and Cities of Samaria, with such Forreiners [Division 296] [Manasseh 15] may that Prophesy refer in Isaiah 7. verse. 8. if we will count the [Division 297] [Manasseh 16] time from the very delivery of the Prophesy, Within threescore and five [Division 298] [Manasseh 17] years shall Ephraim be broken that it be not a people: Which Prophesy being [Division 299] [Manasseh 18] delivered about the third or fourth year of Ahaz, if we count those [Division 300] [Manasseh 19] sixty five years forward, the end of them will fall about the four or five [Division 301] [Manasseh 20] and twentieth year of Manasseh: And the matter so taken may be understood [Division 302] [Manasseh 21] in this sense, That the Prophet there denounceth such a ruin [Division 303] [Manasseh 22] to Ephraim [and Damaseus is also included in the same Prophesy, and [Division 304] [Manasseh 23] was concluded also under the same Plantation] that it should no more [Division 305] [Manasseh 24] be a People or Country of that name, but the very name now changed, [Division 306] [Manasseh 25] gone, and rooted out. We gave another gloss and date upon these words and years before, namely, counting them backward from the captiving of Samaria, as here we count them forward from the delivery of the Prophesy: the Reader may judge and take his choice.

The Prophesy of HABAKKUK, all.

IN these wicked times of Manasseh lived Habakkuk, and Prophesied against his wickedness, and of him and Nahum may very well be understood that passage in 2 King. 21. 10. The Lord spake by his servants the Prophets, saying, Because Manasseh the King of Judah had done these abominations, &c. therefore I am bringing evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle: which in a manner is the very same with that in Hab. 1. 5. Behold, ye, and regard, and wonder marvelously, for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you: For loe, I raise up the Chaldeans, &c.

This Judgment upon Judea by the Chaldeans was yet to come after some space of time, as Chap. 2. 3. and this Prophet fore-armeth against it by that golden Doctrine, The just shall live by faith: and by fore-telling the Judgments upon Babel itself. He prayeth for the preservation of Prophesy in the captivity in a foreign Land, and calleth the captivity, The midst of years, viz. 'twixt Samuel and Christ: He taketh out his own lesson that he readeth to others of living by faith, and professeth in the greatest extremities and improbabilities of good, yet to rejoice in the Lord, and to joy in the God of his salvation.

2 CHRON. XXXIII. from verse. 11. to the end. 2 KING. XXI. from verse. 17. to the end.

[Division 307] [Manasseh 26] THE wickedness of Manasseh doth in time bring him into chains in [Division 308] [Manasseh 27] Babel, they bring him to be humbled for his wickedness, and that [Division 309] [Manasseh 28] brings him into his throne again: Both his mind and his estate received a [Division 310] [Manasseh 29] great change and alteration; in what time of his reign he was carried to [Division 311] [Manasseh 30] Babel, and how long he continued there is undeterminable; but upon his [Division 312] [Manasseh 31] return to Jerusalem again he maketh a great reformation, and built divers [Division 313] [Manasseh 32] great buildings, and garrisoned the strong Cities of Judah.

[Division 314] [Manasseh 33] And now since the Assyrian Monarchy is ready to fall in the next Generation, [Division 315] [Manasseh 34] let us look back a little upon the growth and rise of it hitherto; [Division 316] [Manasseh 35] and upon the Syrian Kingdom which it hath a good while ago swallowed [Division 317] [Manasseh 36] up. Damaseus the head of Syria, Isaiah 7. 8. was extantin the days of Abraham, [Division 318] [Manasseh 37] Gen. 15. 2. but not mentioned of any great victoriousness till the days of [Division 319] [Manasseh 38] David, nor then the head of Syria neither; for then was Syria divided into [Division 320] [Manasseh 39] several Kingdoms, as Aram Zobah, Aram beth-Rehob, Aram Naharaim, [Division 321] [Manasseh 40] and Aram Damaseus, 2 Sam. 8. 3. & 10. 8. The chief King among them in [Division 322] [Manasseh 41] those times was Hadadezer, the son of Rehob King of Zobah, and who [Division 323] [Manasseh 42] had now joined Rehob and Zobah into one Kingdom, and had also [Division 324] [Manasseh 43] brought Aram Naharaim, or some good part of it into the same Monarchy. [Division 325] [Manasseh 44] Compare Psal. 60. the title, with 2 Sam. 8. 3. &c. Rezin a servant [Division 326] [Manasseh 45] of his runs away from him, and goes to be King of Damaseus, 1 King. [Division 327] [Manasseh 46] 11. 23. then that City began to peep up, and ere long to be head of all [Division 328] [Manasseh 47] Syria; and these Kings reigned there, Benhadad the son of Tabrimmon, [Division 329] [Manasseh 48] the son of Hezion, in the days of Asa, 1 King. 15. 18. Then Benhadad [Division 330] [Manasseh 49] the Son of this Benhadad in the days of Ahab, 1 King. 20. 134. and of [Division 331] [Manasseh 50] his son Joram, 2 King. 6. 24. Him Hazael one of his Commanders stifled, [Division 332] [Manasseh 51] and reigned in his stead, 2 King. 8. 15. and doth Israel much mischief, [Division 333] [Manasseh 52] 2 Kings 10. 32. Benhadad his son succeeded him, 2 King. 13. 24. and [Division 334] [Manasseh 53] after him reigned Rezin the last King of Syria captived by the Assyrian, [Division 335] [Manasseh 54] and Damaseus with him; and so is there an end of the Syrian power.

[World 3365] [Division 336] [Manasseh 55] Manasseh dieth.

Ammon reigneth two years; and is at last slain by his own servants, but his death avenged on those servants by the people of the Land. Whilest the Kingdom of Syria was in its power, the Assyrian Kingdom [World 3366] [Division 337] [Ammon 1] was obscure, and therefore very improperly made by some the first of the [World 3367] [Division 338] [Ammon 2] four Monarchies. No King of it mentioned in Scripture, till Pull in the time of Menahem King of Israel. Famous in Heathen Stories is Sardanapalus, the last King of that Kingdom, whilst it was obscure, and with whom it fell. Before his time it was that Jonah went to Nineveh, and prophesied against it, some thirty or forty years before its fall. In new hands that City and Kingdom began to be great and victorious: The first of the Kings of the new race was Pull, so potent that he pulled a thousand Talents by way of tribute from the King of Israel, 2 King. 15. 19. After him came Tiglath-Pileser into the Assyrian Throne and conquered Syria, and added it to Assyria, 2 Kings 16. 9, 10. Next after him reigned Shalmanezer who captivated the ten Tribes, 2 King. 17. 3, &c. and after him Sennacherib the blasphemous, called also Sargon, as it is probable, Isaiah 20. 1. Esar-haddon succeeded Sennacherib, and he is the last Assyrian King mentioned, if Asnapper were not one, on that Throne, different from him. Then did Babylon swallow up Nineveh, and Nebuchad-nezzar subdued it, and brought it under the subjection of Babylon, whereas Babel had been lately under the subjection of it.

2 KING. XXII. verse. 1. and 2 CHRON. XXXIV. verse. 1. to verse. 8.

[World 3368] [Division 339] [Josiah 1] JOSIAH reigned 31 years, being but eight years old when he [Division 340] [Josiah 2] began to reign. The youngest King that ever sat upon the Throne [Division 341] [Josiah 3] of Judah, as young again as Uzziah, 2 King. 15. 2. and yet was Uzziah [Division 342] [Josiah 4] long off the Throne for his minority: God hath much to do by Josiah, [Division 343] [Josiah 5] and therefore he sets him on the Throne, and shows his piety [Division 344] [Josiah 6] to the world betime: The Lord had spoken of him about 340 years ago, 1 King. 13. 2.

[World 3374] [Division 345] [Josiah 7] JEHOIAKIM born this year: Compare 2 Chron. 34. 1. and 36. 5.

[World 3375] [Division 346] [Josiah 8] JOSIAH setteth himself to seek God in the eighth year of his reign.

[World 3376] [Division 347] [Josiah 9] JEHOAHAZ born, see 2 Chron. 36. 2. He is called Johanan and [Division 348] [Josiah 10] Shallum, 1 Chron. 3. 15. Jer. 22. 11. and said to be the first born of Josiah, [Division 349] [Josiah 11] because he reigneth first, and the fourth Son, because he was last born.

[World 3379] [Division 350] [Josiah 12] Josiah purgeth Judah and Jerusalem from Idols, &c.

JEREMY.

[World 3380] [Division 351] [Josiah 13] JEREMY beginneth to Prophesy in the thirteenth of Josiah, and by Prophesying to help forward the reformation begun, which went on exceeding slowly, not through any negligence of Josiah himself, whose heart was very upright with the Lord; but through the slackness and remissness of the Princes and people, and through the rootedness of Idolatry in them. And hence it is that Jeremy prophesieth so terrible things, and so certain destruction in the very time of reformation. Josiah in the twelfth year of his reign had begun to destroy Idolatry, and yet how much filth of it was remaining in his eighteenth year is almost incredible, 2 King. 23.

Jeremy a young Priest and Prophet for the young King; was, Moses like, a Prophet to Israel forty years, viz. 18 of Josiah, 11 of Jehoiakim, and 11 of Zedekiah; and as Moses was so long with the people a Teacher in the Wilderness till they entered into their own Land, so was Jeremy so long in their own Land a Teacher before they went into the wilderness of the Heathen. The Holy Ghost setteth a special mark upon these forty years of his Prophesying, Ezek. 4. 6. where when the Lord summeth up the years that were betwixt the falling away of the ten Tribes, and the burning of the Temple, three hundred and ninety in all; and counteth them by the Prophets lying so many days upon his left side; he bids him to lie forty days upon his right side, and bear the iniquity of the House of Judah forty days, a day for a year: Not to signify that it was forty years above three hundred and ninety, betwixt the revolting of the ten Tribes, and the captivity of Judah, for it was but three hundred and ninety exactly in all; but because he would set and mark out Judah's singular iniquity by a singular mark; for that they had forty years so pregnant instructions and admonitions by so eminent a Prophet, yet were impenitent to their own destruction.

The Prophesies of Jeremy are either utterly undated, and so not easily, if at all, to be referred to their proper time, or those that are dated, are almost generally dislocated, and not easy to give the reason of their dislocation. The first Chapter at verse. 2. and the third Chapter at verse. 6. do only bear the date of Josiah's reign, and no more mention of any other Prophesy delivered in his time expressly made, and yet there is no doubt that very much of the beginning of his Prophesy was in his time.

The Prophesy of ZEPHANIAH, all.

IN these latter times of Josiah did Zephaniah also arise, and appear a Prophet, the great Grand-child of King Hezekiah if some guess aright. The times of his Prophesying may be settled the better by this, that as the first verse of his Book doth date his Prophesy by the reign of Josiah, so the eight verse of the same Chapter doth Prophesy against the Kings Children, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah, for their new-fashions and new-fangled apparel. Now the eldest of these three was but twelve years old at Josiah's eighteenth, and the second but ten. It is true indeed that it nameth not these three men by name, but why it should not be understood in the literal and proper sense, and mean these three men, I yet see no ground to the contrary. The Jews indeed appear to be of another mind, for they make Jeremy to be Zephanies Scholar; and so Expositors are of another mind, for they understand the Kings Children largely, for the Noble-men's Sons, or Courtiers, but considering the wickedness of these sons of Josiah after their fathers death, I have no reason to think them much otherwise in their fathers life-time, and I see not why they may not go in the first place with any that deserved reproof, and on whom it lighted under the name of the Kings Children.

2 CHRON. XXXV. from verse. 20. to end. 2 KING. XXIII. verse. 29. 30.

[World 3398] [Division 369] [Josiah 31] JOSIAH slain by Pharaoh Necho, yet dies in peace, 2 Kings 22. 20. because in God's favor. The King of Assyria had conquered Carchemish a great while ago, Isaiah 10. 9. And Necho or his Predecessors had recovered it, and he went now to strengthen the Garrison there, or to recover it; and passing some part of Josiah's Country with an Army, Josiah takes a quarrel at him [though it may be he was in league with him] and is slain at Megiddo. This Zech. 12. 10. alluded to, The mourning of Hadadrimmon; and in the valley of Megiddo; there is an Ellypsis of the conjunction Va • .

2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 1, 2, 3, 4. 2 KING. XXIII. verse. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.

JEHOAHAZ is made King by the people of the Land, as one best beloved by them, for he was two years younger then Jehoiakim. Compare 2 King. 23. verse. 31. & 36. He is called Shallum, 1 Chron. 3. 15. Jer. 22. 11. He reigned but three months, and is deposed by Pharaoh Necho. His three months reign is to be reckoned in the last year of Josiah: as Jeremy maketh the account plain, Jer. 25. 3. And therefore I must here retract [and I retract it with wonder how it ever was so mistaken] what is said in Prolegon; to harmony of Evang: That some years of trouble passed between the death of Josiah, and the reign of Jehoiakim.

2 KING. XXIII. verse. 36, 37. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. Vers. 4, 5.

[World 3399] [Division 370] [Iehoiaikim 1] JEHOIAKIM reigneth eleven years; set up by Pharaoh Necho, [Division 371] [Iehoiaikim 2] and named Jehoiakim by him instead of Eliakim. In which change of name, Pharaoh shown rather his power then anything else, unless he would not endure the word Jehovah in Jehoiakim’s name, for Jehoiakim and Eliakim is but one and the same in signification.

JEHOIAKIM doth wickedly, like as his wicked predecessors had done: And his eyes and his heart are not but for covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence to do it, Jer. 22. 17. Amongst other of his wickednesses this was not the least, committed in the beginning of his reign, that he slew Urijah the Prophet. Read here, Jer. 26. ver. 20, 21, 22, 23.

JEREMY XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, & XXII. to ver. 24.

IT was observed before, that Chapter 11. was most properly to be referred to Josiah's times, as pointing to the Covenant that he caused the people to enter into, and that the twelfth Chapter joined to it, viz. verse. 5, 6. of Chap. 12. to verse. 21, 22, 23. of Chap. 11. And so with the end of the twelfth Chapter, are ended the Prophesies of Jeremy of Josiah's time. And it was also observed before, that ver. 18. of Chap. 13. pointed at the time of Jehoiakim; and so doth also the 18. verse. of Chap. 22. And therefore since we have no date nor direction for any of the Chapters between, to fix them to any other time, we may very well take in all these Chapters of Jeremy from the beginning of the thirteenth to the 24 verse of the two and twentieth, in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim. The one and twentieth Chapter only is to be set out, for it is plainly dated by the time of Zedekiah. Now the reason of setting this Chapter so forward, as among those that were in the beginning of Jehoiakim’s time, whereas it was in Zedekiahs, which was many years after, may be conjectured to be because of the correspondency of something in the twentieth Chapter and it. In the twentieth a Pashur in the time of Jehoiakim, sets Jeremy in the stocks for foretelling destruction to Jerusalem by the Babylonian. And in the one and twentieth a Pashur in the time of Zedekiah, seeks to Jeremy for remedy against the Babylonian, who had made good Jeremiah's Prophesy so far as that he had besieged Jerusalem: This was a thing remarkable, that one Pashur should thus oppose Jeremiah's prophesying, and another Pashur should thus assert it; And for the better marking of this, the two Chapters that contain the two stories are laid together.

The two and twentieth to ver. 24. doth show that it was delivered in Jehoiakim’s time, when Shallum or Jehoahaz was not long before captivated: It biddeth, Weep not for the dead, Josiah, but weep sorely for Shallum that was gone, for he should return no more, verse. 10. See 2 Kings 23. 34.

JEREMY XXVI. all, and XXVII. to verse. 12.

THE beginning of these two Chapters bear the date of the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, which in this Prophets language is not precisely the first year of his reign [the first, second, or third year singly he nameth not] but it is taken in a larger sense and construction, as there is an evidence from the like expression used concerning another King, and expounded, Chap. 27. 1. In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, in the fourth year: Here Zedekiah is in the fourth year of his reign, and yet it is called, The beginning of his reign; and the reason of the Phrase is, because of the double condition and change that either of these Kings underwent in the time of their reign; Jehoiakim for above two years reigned by the deputation of Pharaoh Necho: but the rest of his time by the deputation of Nebuchad-nezzar; and Zedekiah for four years at the least reigned under the subjection of the King of Babel, Jer. 51. 59. but the rest of his time he reigned as rebelling, and casting off the yoke of the Babylonian, 2 King. 24. 20. therefore the time of either of these Kings before this change and alteration befell them, is called, The beginning of their reign.

Now as for the order and method of these two Chapters under hand, let us a little look back to the portion where we left before, and that was at the three and twentieth verse of the two and twentieth Chapter; for from thence to this 26 Chapter, all that comes between is dislocated and laid there by anticipation. The four and twentieth verse of Chapter twenty two beareth the date of the reign of Jehoiachin or Coniah, which was not till Jehoiakim had reigned eleven years; whereas divers Prophesies which were uttered in those eleven years of Jehoiakim, are set after, as Chap. 25. & 26. & 27. and very many more. Now the reason of this method is this, that the threatenings against the father Jehoiakim, and the son Jehoiachin might be laid together; and the rather because the time of Jehoachins reign was but very short, namely, three months; and therefore the prediction of his captivity, is fitly joined to the prediction of his fathers, since his reign is reputed as nothing, Chap. 36. 30.

And when the Text is fallen upon, upon this occasion, from verse. 24. of Chap. 22. to the end, all the Prophesies that refer to his time, and concern his person, are also brought up together, viz. Chap. 23. and 24. that the matters concerning him might be laid together in one place.

The 25 Chapter is dated by Jehoiakim’s fourth year yet laid before Chap. 26. & 27. that bear the date of the beginning of his reign, because it pointeth out the term and space of the Babylonian Captivity, which was indeed the main subject of Jeremiah's Prophesy, and therefore when in the preceding Chapters he had fore-told the captivity, both to, and of Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin, and in the five and twentieth he sets himself to fore-tell and measure out the space of the Captivity, therefore these Chapters that handle that main and general head of his Prophesy are laid thus forward and together, and then particular matters are laid after. So that these 26 & 27 Chap. to ver. 12. do join in proper current of time and Chronicle, to verse. 23. of Chap. 22. and the reason of the interposition of the other Chapters may be conceived of as hath been said. In Chap. 26. Jeremy is in danger of his life by the Priests and false Prophets, but acquitted by the Elders: They allege two contrary examples, one of Hezekiah, who piously submitted to Micah's Prophesy, and troubled him not for it; and the other of Jehoiakim who cursedly slew Urijah for Prophesying the truth: the former they propose as a Copy to be followed, and the other as a caution, not to shed more Prophets blood in murdering Jeremy, for too much was lately shed already in the murder of Urijah.

In Chap. 27. to verse. 12. Jeremy is enjoined to make yokes and bonds, to denote servitude and subjection to Babel, but in the entry of the Chapter there is a visible difficulty; for in the beginning of Jehoiakim’s reign, Jeremy is commanded to make bonds and yokes, and to send them to certain Kings, by the messengers that came to Zedekiah King of Judah; now how can Zedekiah be called King of Judah in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, since Jehoiakim reigned eleven years, and Jehoiachin three months before Zedekiah came to reign? Answ. These things are to be understood to be spoken Prophetically concerning Zedekiah, as well as concerning Nebuchad-nezzars sons; for the Lord by the Prophet fore-tells that Nebuchad-nezzar should reign, and his son and Grand-child after him, and therefore must the Prophet presently make yokes and bonds, and put them of his own neck in token of Judah's subjection, which indeed begun in the very next year. And he fore-tells withal that Zedekiah should reign, and that divers Kings should send Messengers to him, and by them▪ should Jeremy send those yokes to those Kings, &c.

[World 3401] [Division 372] [Jehoiakim 3] The latter part of this third year of Jehoiakim, is the beginning of Nebuchad-nezzars first year, for his first year took up part of Jehoiakim’s third, and part of his fourth; this is apparent, by comparing Dan. 1. 1. with Jerem. 25. 1. The fourth of Jehoiakim is indeed most commonly reckoned as Nebuchad-nezzars first, but we shall observe hereafter, that there are intimations sometimes in Scripture, to teach us to understand that reckoning according to this account.

DANIEL 1. to verse. 8. And 2 KING. XXIV. verse. 1. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 6, 7.

[World 3402] [Division 373] [Years of Captivity 1] [Jehoiakim. 4] IN this third year of Jehoiakim, Nebuchad-nezzar besiegeth and taketh Jerusalem, and Jehoiakim; he putteth him in fetters to carry him to Babel, but restoreth him again to the Throne as a tributary to the crown of Babel, and so Jehoiakim becomes his servant three years.

Here begins the seventy years Captivity, and the seventy years of the rule of Babel, Jer. 25. 11, 12. & 29. 10.

In this captivity were carried away Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and now is that sad Prediction to Hezekiah fulfilled, 2 King. 20. 18. and that of Zephaniah, Zeph. 1. 8.

DAN. 1. from verse. 8. to 18.

DANIEL and his three fellow Nobles now in Babel, refuse the Court diet, and betake themselves to an austerity of diet, but once more to be paralleled in all the Scripture, and that was in John the Babtist; yet they come on and grow fresh and fat, to show that man liveth not by bread only, &c.

JEREMY XXV.

IN this fourth year of Jehoiakim, which was the first year of Nebuchad-nezzar, verse. 1. Jeremy prepareth a cup of indignation for Jerusalem, and for all the Nations round about it, and at last for Sheshach or Babylon itself.

JEREMY XLVI. & XLVIII. & XLIX. to verse. 34.

JEREMY prophesieth against Pharaoh Necho and Egypt, foretelling the overthrow of his Army at Carchemish, which accordingly came to pass this year; and then the Lord avengeth the death of good Josiah, as verse. 10. This Chapter, though it fell under the time of Jehoiakim, yet is it laid so far in the Book, as after the story of Judah's going into captivity, and into Egypt; for a reason, which shall be touched presently, and so shall the method of Chap. 48. & 49. be taken into consideration.

JEREMY XXXVI. to verse. 9.

BARUCH writeth the Prophesy of Jeremy in a Book, and readeth it in the Lord's House on the solemn Fast day [the tenth of Tizri probably] in the fourth of Jehoiakim, verse. 1. This Chapter lieth after many Prophesies of the times of Zedekiah, because he would lay the relation of historical things, and particularly, of Jeremiah's sufferings, together. In Chap. 36. is told that he was imprisoned in Jehoiakim’s time, verse. 5. and his Book burnt by that wicked King. In Chap. 37. is told that he was imprisoned in Zedekiahs time, verse. 15. and in Chap. 38. how he is put into the dungeon.

JEREMY XLV.

A Message comes to Baruch from God, upon his writing out of Jeremiah's Prophesy in the fourth of Jehoiakim.

The looking back upon Chap. 43. & 44. and considering the tenor of them, will give light and a reason for the placing of this Chapter, and the next following so far in the Book, though they are of so early a date in the reign of Jehoiakim. Upon Johanans carrying the people into Egypt, contrary to the express Word of God, Jeremy, denounceth sad things to the Jews now in Egypt, and sure destruction to Egypt itself; this in Chap. 43. from verse. 9. &c. and in Chap. 44. thorough out. Then is laid the relation of the comfort and incouragment that Jeremy gave Baruch many years before the time of the other Prophesies; Then Baruchs safety in Egypt, and in her miseries, might be thence intimated and observed: For thither had Johanan brought Baruch, Chap. 43. 6. And the like juncture of Stories was observed at Exod. 18. where Jethroes coming to Israel's Camp is storied instantly after the story of the curse passed upon Amalek, to show that he fell not under that curse, though he lived in that Nation.

After the intertexture of this 42 Chapter, which was a comfortable word for Baruch in Egypt, in the threatenings of Egypt; the 46 Chapter which was also delivered in this fourth of Jehoiakim, is laid next, that all the threatenings against Egypt, though at several times delivered, yet might come together; and that the accomplishment of this Prophesy delivered in Jehoiakim’s time, and fulfilled upon Pharaoh Nechos Army, might be a confirmation, that Israel in Egypt must expect the like truth of the Prophesies against it, delivered to them there, of misery to come upon it by Nebuchadnezzar.

Of the same date with the 46 Chapter we may well suppose the 48▪ & 49 Chapters to be also, because the second verse of Chapter 46. doth use a comprehensive expression, The Word of the Lord against the Gentiles, as concluding all these Sermons and Prophesies against these several Nations under one date and head; only Chap. 47. and verse. 34. of Chap. 49. are of several specified dates; of which, when we come to them.

JEREMY XXXVI. from verse. 9. to end.

[World 3403] [Diwision 374] [Years of Captivity 2] [Jehoiakim 5] IN the fifth year of Jehoiakim, in the ninth month, Jehoiakim cuts in pieces and burns Jeremiah's Prophesy, a wickedness not to be paralleled: Let the Reader weigh whether Baruchs reading the Book in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, on the Fast day, verse. 6. and his reading it now in the fifth year of Jehoiakim, at an extraordinary Fast in the ninth month, be above the space of two months asunder. It is very well worth the pondering. I cannot but conclude affirmatively, and I believe upon very good ground; and this observed and concluded doth help to count the seventy years captivity the more exactly: if it do not also teach us to begin the year from the time of the first captivity, from its ancient date in Tisri, till Redemption altered the date, and brought it to Abib, which I believe Captivity hath now altered again. The preceding Chapter and this, and divers forward are Historical, and therefore they are laid together after those that are more fully Prophetical: we shall observe the like in the Book of Daniel ere it be long.

[Diwision 375] [Years of Captivity 3] [Jehoiakim 6] There is no particular occurrence mentioned this sixth year of Jehoiakim.

2 KING. XXIV. the latter end of verse. 1. and verse. 2, 3, 4.

JEHOIAKIM rebelleth against the King of Babel, for which he is miserably invaded, and Judah spoiled; and this misery continueth all his time.

DANIEL I. from verse. 18. to end.

[World 3405] [Diwision 376] [Years of Captivity 4] [Jehoiakim 7] DANIEL and his three fellows are presented to the King, and higly approved of.

JEREMY XXXV.

THE Story and matter of Jeremiah's setting wine before the [Division 377] [Years of Capt. 5] [Josiah 8] Rechabites, &c. is said to be in the days of Jehoiakim, but in [Division 378] [Years of Capt. 6] [Josiah 9] what year is not mentioned; only this may be collected out of the [Division 379] [Years of Capt. 7] [Josiah 10] Text, that it was after Jehoiakim’s rebelling against Nebuchad-nezzar, for they say in verse. 1. that they fled to Jerusalem for fear of the Army of the Chaldeans, and the Army of the Syrians: which are the Army mentioned to have come against him upon his rebelling, 2 King. 24. 2. This Story therefore fell out in these latter years of Jehoiakim. Now it is laid so far in the Book, as after divers Prophesies dated by the times of Zedekiah, partly because it is Historical, and so is set after Prophetical things, and partly because this Story of the Rechabites doth set off the impiety of the Jews, mentioned in the preceding Chapter, the more, for there he showeth how false the people were to their Covenant with God, in recalling their freed servants, and here how faithful the Rechabites were to an engagement of their father.

2 KING. XXIV. verse. 5, 6, 7. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 6, 7, 8.

[World 3409] [Division 380] [Years of Capt. 8] [Josiah 11] JEHOIAKIM captived, slain, and buried with the burial of an Ass.

JER. LII. verse. 28.

NEBUCHAD-NEZZAR captiveth three thousand and twenty three Jews. This is to be understood of the captivity. of Jehoiakim; it is called the seventh year of Nebuchadnezzar, because his siege against Jerusalem began in his seventh, and he took the City in the beginning of his eight; and partly to distinguish this from the captivity of Jehoiakim, which was in his eight, when he carried away many thousands, 2 King. 24. 12, 14, 16.

2 KING. XXIV. verse. 8. 9. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 9.

JEHOIACHIN the son of Jehoiakim reigneth three months: He is called also Jeconiah, and Coniah: the name Jeho, or Jahu [a contraction of Jehovah ] being sometime set before his name, and sometime after, and the first syllable of his name sometime cut off; and he called Coniah.

That his three months are to be taken in, in Jehoiakim’s last year, there is evidence sufficient in 2 King. 25. 2, 8. where the eleventh year of Zedekiah, and the nineteenth of Nebuchad-nezzar are coincident, or fall in together: And in 2 Chron. 36. 10. where it is said, that when the year was expired the King of Babel captived him thither.

There is one main doubt and scruple ariseth, in comparing his Story in the Book of Kings and Chronicles together, for the Book of Chronicles saith, he was eight years old when he began to reign, and the Book of Kings saith, he was eighteen: Now in expressions that are so different, propriety is not to be expected in both; but the one to be taken properly, and that is, that he was eighteen years old when he began to reign; and the other, that he was the Son of the eighth year, or fell in the lot of the eighth year, after any Captivity of Judah had begun: for the beginning of his reign was in the eighth year of Nebuchad-nezzar, 2 King. 24. 12. and in the eighth year of the seventy of captivity: And so the Holy Ghost dealeth here as he doth about Ahaziah, 2 King. 8. 26. and 2 Chron. 22. 2. compared together, as was observed there.

JEREMY XXII. from verse. 24. to the end.

JEHOIACHIN, or Jeconiah, is no sooner upon the Throne, but Jeremy denounceth his captivity, and the failing of Solomon's house in him: And this doth but as it were take at that Prophesiy which he uttered before against Jehoiakim his father, Chap. 36. 30. He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David; When the ending of Solomon's House is to be denounced, he calleth the Earth, Earth, Earth, to hear the word of the Lord, that the earthly Kingdom was now to decay, and therefore a Kingdom of another nature was to be looked after.

JEREMY XXIII. all.

THIS King and Kingdom is described in this Chapter; and when he had denounced the failing of Solomon's house, and the ruin of the earthly Kingdom of the house of David, in the Chapter before, he now telleth of the everlasting King and Kingdom of David, verse. 5. 6. and denounceth woe against those cursed Shepherds and Pastors that had helped Solomon's house forward unto ruin.

2 KING. XXIV. from verse. 10. to verse. 17. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 10.

JEHOIACHIN, or Jeconiah, or Coniah captived, and Jerusalem with him, 18000 men of might, 10000 from Jerusalem, and 8000 out of the Country, and all the treasures of the Temand Kings house: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And the mighty of the land: but written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The fools. Mordecai was carried away in this captivity, Esther 2. 6.

And so was Ezekiel also, and therefore he dateth his times from this date, Ezek. 1. 2. and calleth it, Our captivity, Chap. 40. 1.

2 KING. XXIV. verse. 17, 18, 19, 20. And JEREMY LII. ver. 1, 2, 3. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 11.

[World 3410] [Division 381] [Years of Captivity 9] [Zedekiah 1] ZEDEKIAH made King by the King of Babel, he was Jehoiachins Uncle, 1 Kings 24. 17. but called his brother, that is, his Kinsman, 2 Chron. 36. 10. and his son, because he succeeded him in the throne, 1 Chron. 3. 16.

JEREMY XXIV. all.

[Division 382] [Years of Captivity 10] [Zedekiah 2] JEREMY seeth comfortable things, concerning those that were [Division 383] [Years of Captivity 11] [Zedekiah 3] captived into Babylon with Jeconiah: that they are as good figs that may be eaten, and that in time they shall return.

JEREMY XXVII. from verse. 12. to the end.

[World 3413] [Division 384] [Years of Captivity 12] [Zedekiah 4] JEREMY had been commanded thirteen years ago to make yokes and bands, and to put them upon his own neck, in token of Judah's subjection to Nebuchad-nezzar: which in the very next year after, namely, in the third year of Jehoiachin came to pass: and he is also then commanded by way of prediction, that when such and such Kings Ambassadors should come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah, he should send the yokes away by those Messengers to their Kings.

That cometh to pass in this fourth year of Zedekiah, as the first verse of Chapter 28. doth plainly date it.

JEREMY XXVIII. all.

HANANIAH at Jerusalem; foretelling falsely the restoring of the captivity within two years, is himself struck with death within two months, for teaching rebellion against the Lord.

JEREMY XXIX, XXX, XXXI, XLIX. from verse. 34. to end. And LI. all.

THIS fourth year of his reign, Zedekiah either went himself, or sent Messengers to Babel, or both, for so is that verse. 59. of Chap. 51. diversely read, when Seraiah went with Zedekiah, or when he went for or in behalf of Zedekiah into Babylon. Now by the men that went thither, either with him or for him, Jeremy sendeth Letters to the children of the captivity, one to persuade them to frame their hearts, and to compose themselves for seventy years captivity: This, two Prophets in Babel, such others as Hananiah at Jerusalem, gain-say, and would persuade the people to the contrary. And a third writes to Jerusalem to have Jeremy punished; therefore he threateneth bitter judgments against all three. This in Chap. 29.

And being upon a Prophesy of the captivities return in that Chapter, verse. 10, 11, &c. he falleth in Chap. 30. & 31. largely to foretell the calling home of the two Tribes, and of the ten Tribes to Christ. Now though it be doubtful whither he sent the Prophesy of these two Chapters to Babel, yet is it doubtless, that their order is very proper in this place, where he is foretelling of the people's return.

He also sendeth another Letter to Babylon concerning the ruin and destruction of Babylon itself, in Chap. 50. & 51. which Chapters are laid as the period of his Prophesy, that then conclusion of them all might be the foretelling of the ruin of Babel. And under the same date may we also take the last part of Chap. 49. from verse. 34. to end; a Prophesy against Elam that joined with Babel against Judea, Isa. 22. 6. and is joined here with Babel in threatenings. The beginning of the reign of Zedekiah in verse 34. may be taken as it is Chap. 28. 1. for his fourth year.

EZEKIEL I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII.

[World 3414] [Division 385] [Years of Captivity 13] [Zedekiah 5] IN the fifth year from Jehoiachins captivity, the Lord raiseth up Ezekiel for a Prophet to the people in Babylon, as Jeremy was in Jerusalem.

He dateth his Prophesy from the 30 year, of the finding of Moses his Copy in the 18 of Josiah, [as is commonly conceived, but] as it may very well be supposed, from the 30 year of his own age, he being a Priest, and that being the time at which the Priests entered their function. Num. 4. 3. at that time the spirit of Prophesy came upon him, and by a river in Babylon, he seeth the Heavens opened, as Christ at the same age had the Heavens opened to him by a river in Judea, Luke 3. 21, 22, 23.

Now that the people of Israel, the Church, are to be planted in another Country for a long time, the Lord showeth a glory in the midst of them, as he had done at their first constituting into a Church in the Wilderness; and out of a cloud and fire, as he had done there, he showeth himself, and from between living creatures, as from between the Cherubims, he giveth his Oracles to the Prophet.

He causeth him to eat a roll, to lay a visionary siege to a pictured Jerusalem, to lie on his side three hundred and ninety days, suitable to the time of the people's rebellion from Jeroboams revolt to the Cities destruction; and forty days more in answer to the forty years transgression of Judah, under the ministry of Jeremy, as was said before. To eat the bread of affliction and pollution, to show the want of victuals at Jerusalem, and the people's eating of polluted things in Babel. To shave off his hair, and to part it into several fatal significations, &c. And now that the destruction of the City is near at hand, but five or six years off, he foretelleth it in sad expressions, and bemoaneth it with doleful lamentations.

2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 11, 12, 13, 14. 15, 16.

BEcause the fourth year of Zedekiah is called the beginning of his reign, Jer. 28. 1. which showeth his condition yet unchanged, as we observed before: And because Ezekiel in the next year speaketh of his revolt from his oath made to the King of Babel, Ezek. 17. 15. Therefore may we conclude that he rebelled against Babel in this fifth year of his reign.

EZEKIEL VIII. IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX.

[World 3415] [Division 386] [Years of Captivity 14] [Zedekiah 6] ALL these Chapters fall in, in the sixth year after Jeconiahs captivity, or in the sixth of Zedekiah, as appeareth by the date of the eighth Chapter, verse. 1. and by the date of the twentieth Chapter, verse. 1. compared together.

In Chapter eight the Lord showeth a just cause why he is about to remove his glory from the Temple, viz. because it was defiled with all manner of Idolatry.

1. There was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 An image of provocation, or a provoking image, verse. 3. 5. in the entry into the Temple.

2. The very whole Sanhedrin, and Jaazaniah their chief, committed all manner of Idolatry, verse. 10. 11.

3. The woman weeping for Adonis, verse. 14. And

4. The twenty four heads of the courses of the Priest-hood, and the High Priest, that should have been serving God at the Altar, turning their backs upon it, and adoring the Sun, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 verse. 16. a very strange framed word to express their strange abominableness.

In Chap. 9. God marketh his own before destruction cometh. Compare Rev. 7. Jeremy, Baruch, Ebedmelech, and whosoever else feared the Lord are here marked out for deliverance.

Chap. 10. Ezekiel seeth the glory of God in the Temple, which he had seen at Chebar, but now it is fleeting off, and removed as far as the East Gate. And in Chap. 11. it is flitted clean off the City to mount Olivet.

Chap. 12. When God had thus flitted away his own Glory he setteth the Prophet to flit away his stuff, and this doth he that he might the more thoroughly set on the impression of captivity. And from thence forward the Prophet falleth upon the people, the false Prophets, and Prophetesses with sharp reproofs, &c.

In Chap. 17. there is a terrible denunciation of Judgment against Zedekiah, for violating his Oath and fealty to the King of Babel, and seeking to Egypt for help and strength that he might rebel against him; This the Book of Chronicles brandeth him for, that he rebelled against King Nebuchad-nezzar, who had made him swear by God, 2 Chron. 36. 13. It appeareth that at this time he had revolted and began to rebel, and so was now brewing his own and Judah's destruction, and therefore the Prophet throughout all these Chapters doth lay on the more load of threatening and terror.

EZEKIEL XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII.

[World 3416] [Division 387] [Years of Captivity 15] [Zedekiah 7] DEstruction is now drawing on apace; God will not give the Elders of Israel any answer, no more then he would to Saul. A sword is sharpened and preparing for Jerusalem and Rabbah; Nebuchad-nezzar providing to be avenged on both: it seems the King of Ammon proved traitor to Babel as well as Zedekiah had done. This profane wicked Prince of Israel his day is come: the Crown must be over-turned, over-turned, over-turned till Christ come whose right it is. The sins of Jerusalem and Israel are reckoned up, now she is ready to be called to account.

[Division 388] [70 years Captiv 16] [Zedekiah 8] Of any passage or occurrence of this year there is no mention.

2 KING. XXV. verse. 1. 2. JEREMY XXXIX. verse. 50. & 52. verse. 4. 5.

[World 3418] [Division 389] [70 years Captiv 17] [Zedekiah 9] IN the ninth year of Zedekiah, in the tenth month, or the month Tebeth, the tenth day of the month, in the very deep of winter Nebuchad-nezzar layeth siege to Jerusalem.

EZEKIEL XXIV.

THAT very day Ezekiel is told of the thing by the Lord in Chaldea, and by the Parable of the death of a beloved wife he is told, and telleth the people of the destruction of the City and Temple, their delight.

EZEKIEL XXV.

YET will the Lord take vengeance of those neighbor Nations that took content, and rejoiced in the misery of Jerusalem.

JEREMY XXI.

ZEDEKIAH upon the Chaldeans incamping against the City, inquireth of Jeremy what shall become of them; and receiveth a sad answer of destruction and captivity, the reason of the order of this Chapter was observed before.

JEREMY XLVII.

JEREMY fore-telleth the subduing of the Philistines by Nebuchad-nezzar, even before Gaza, one of their chief Cities was subdued by Pharaoh; this was when Pharaohs Army was abroad, and raised the siege at Jerusalem, Jerem. 37. This Chapter lieth where it doth, that the Prophesies against Egypt may be joined together.

JEREMY XXXVII.

[World 3419] [Division 390] [70 years Captiv 18] [Zedekiah 10] THE Egyptians to whom Zedekiah had revolted from Nebuchad-nezzar, raise his siege at Jerusalem; yet Jeremy telleth, that the Chaldeans shall return and take the City; he is taken and put in prison.

JEREMY XXXII. XXXIII, XXXIV.

JEREMY in the prison buyeth and purchaseth Land in token of the people's return thither again: he Prophesieth comfortable things thereupon; but sad things to the present Generation in Jerusalem, who had covenanted to let their servants go free, but afterwards reduced them to servitude again.

EZEKIEL XXIX. to verse. 17.

IN this tenth year, the tenth month and twelfth day of the month the Word of the Lord cometh to Ezekiel against Egypt, &c. And here is a visible dislocation, for Chap. 26. is dated by the eleventh year, and Chap. 30. verse. 20. and Chap. 31. are dated by the eleventh year; yet this Chapter that comes between is dated by the tenth. Now the reason of this misplacing is easy to be apprehended, and that is this:

• 1. The Prophesy against Egypt was in the tenth year, as most properly meeting with Egypt, in the very height of its pride, and of Jerusalem's carnal confidence in it: For now it was a foot with all its force to raise the siege at Jerusalem, and Jerusalem with all its hope did rely upon it; and therefore in that very time the Lord denounceth destruction to it, and frustration to the Jews hopes in it. Now;
• 2. The reason of setting this Prophesy, that fore-telleth so much after the Prophesy against Tyrus, which was in the eleventh year, is, because Tyrus was first to be destroyed, and Egypt was to be the wages of Nebuchad-nezzar for destroying Tyrus, Chap. 29. 18, 19. and therefore that this might be observed the better, the threatening of the destruction of Tyrus which was given after, yet is set before the threatening of the destruction of Egypt, which was given before.

EZEKIEL XXVI. XXVII, XXVIII.

[World 3420] [70 years Captivity 19] [Zedekiah 11] THIS eleventh year of Zedekiah, and nineteenth of Nebu •• ad-nezzar was the fatal year of Jerusalem's destruction; and now are Ezekiel's three hundred and ninety years up, Ezek. 4. 5. we counted the very year of the division of the Tribes the first of them, or else the very last of them would have fallen here; on the very first day of this year hath Ezekiel the sad prediction concerning the ruin of Tyrus and Sidon.

EZEKIEL XXX. from verse. 20. to the end.

ON the seventh day of this first month Ezekiel Prophesieth of the weakening and fall of Egypt, whom Nebuchad-nezzar had now beaten off, and was returned to Jerusalem's siege again.

EZEKIEL XXXI.

ON the first day of the third month of this year, Ezekiel hath another Prophesy against Egypt.

JEREMY XXXVIII.

IN these gasping times of the City, when all the provision in it was even spent, verse. 9. Jeremy (by cursed suggestion to the King) is cast into the Dungeon, but delivered thence by the good care of Ebed-melech a Cushite, &c.

JEREMY XXXIX. verse. 15, 16, 17, 18.

JEREMY thus delivered by the means of Ebed-melech from the Dungeon, Prophesieth deliverance to Ebed-melech. Now this passage is laid after the Story of the taking of the City; though Jeremy prophesied it before; because when the Holy Ghost hath shown the safety of Jeremy in the destruction, he would also show the safety of Ebed-melech, according to Jeremiah's Prophesy.

2 KING. XXV. verse. 2. to verse. 20. 2 CHRON. XXXVI. verse. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. JEREMY XXXIX. verse. 2. to verse. 15. And LII. verse. 5. to verse. 28.

IN the fourth month of this eleventh year of Zedekiah, which was the month Tammuz on the ninth day of the month, [much about our Mid-summer day] there is no more provision left, and the City is broken up. Zedekiah and the men of war get away by night; but Zedekiah is overtaken near Jericho, ere he could reach the foords of Jordan, and brought to Nebuchad-nezzar, and judgment passed upon him, &c. And he that would never see the danger, now seeth the Judgment, and his eyes are put out.

In the fifth month, the seventh day of the month, Nebuzaradan fireth the Temple and Jerusalem, about the 23 of our July, captiveth the remnant of the people, leaving only some for husbandry, over whom he maketh Gedaliah Governor, and carrieth away all the Vessels of the House of the Lord, and the two brazen pillars that stood before it.

In reckoning the height of the two Pillars Jachin and Boaz, there is some difference and difficulty; for in 2 Kings 25. 17. It is said, The height of one Pillar was eighteen cubits. And so 2 King. 7. 15. and Jer. 52. 21. But in 2 Chron. 3. 15. it is said, He made two Pillars thirty five cubits high.

And in that very verse it is said, the Chapiter that was on the top of each of them, was five cubits: And so 2 King. 7. 16. and Jer. 52. 22. But in 2 King. 25. 17. it is said, The height of the Chapiter was three cubits.

Solution. 1. Of the difference in the former reckoning; the reason is this, because the Book of Kings, and Jer. 52. 21. reckon the height of each Pillar distinct, and say plainly, they were eighteen cubits high a piece; But the Book of Chronicles reckoneth the measure of them both jointly together, and saith, they were five and thirty cubits long; that is, both together were so long, and severally they were seventeen cubits and an half a piece. Now the half cubit that is reckoned above [when it is said they were eighteen cubits high a piece] was taken up within the Chapiter, for the Chapiter being a long massey piece of brass, set upon the head of the Pillar, the Pillar must needs be let in something into it, as a tenon into a morteise to make it fast, and so it was half a cubit; so that the Pillar was eighteen cubits high, but it was only seventeen cubits and an half appearing.

2. The difference of the second accounting [ viz. of the height of the Chapiter, one Text saying it was three cubits high, and the other five] ariseth from this, That the Chapiters themselves were five cubits high a piece, but there was net work wrought about them at their bottom, which stood as a Crown about them on the top of the Pillars, that only three cubits of the plain Chapiter could be seen.

In this captivity was Seraiah the father of Ezra taken and slain, 2 King. 25. 18. Ezr. 7. 1. he was the High Priest, and he and Zephaniah the second Priest or Sagan, came to an end as fatal, as Hophni and Phinehas had done at the ruin of Shiloh.

Were Ezra never so young now, yea were he now in his mothers womb, yet must he needs be very aged when he cometh up to Jerusalem so long after the captivity, Ezr. 7. we shall judge of this by then we come there.

ESAY XV, XVI.

IN these fifteenth and sixteenth Chapters there is a sad Prophesy against Moab, which was to have its accomplishment within three years after it was prophesied, Chap. 16. 14. Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned. Seder Olam applies these three years to the three years of the siege of Samaria, where he conceiveth the Moabites like base hirelings did assist the King of Assyria against Israel; and for these three years base service, the Lord would requite her with confusion and contempt: But the like threatening being used against Kedar, and terminated within one year, Chap. 21. 16. doth show that this is to be taken in the proper sense of coming to pass within three years. Now when this ruin and misery of Moab befell, it is not specified, nor whence these three years are to be dated, can it be determined. But only thus much may be concluded; That the Assyrian Army was continually abroad and conquering up and down, both in the time of Shalmanezer, and in the time of Sennacherib; and whether Shalmanesers Army before the taking of Samaria, or after, or Sennacherib's Army before his coming up to Jerusalem, did destroy and subdue Moab, it is uncertain; but that one of these did it at someone of these times, it is more then probable; for the Prophet can hardly possibly be interpreted to any other date; and to which of these times soever it be referred, the order of these Chapters will yet appear very proper as we have laid them in the first thirteen years of Hezekiah.

ESAY XVIII, XIX.

A Prophesy against Assyria and Egypt, the one the scourge, and the other the carnal confidence of Israel: He calleth Assyria the land shadowing with wings, descanting upon his own phrase which he had used in Chap. 8. 8. The stretching out of his wings shall fill thy Land O Immanuel. And foretelleth of the destruction of the Host of Assyria, by the stroke of the Angel. He also prophesieth the destruction of Egypt, and Judah's going down to dwell there, even to the filling of five Cities with the Language of Canaan, but those should prove also Cities of Destruction: Yet in time Egypt and Assyria and Israel, should come to the obedience of the Gospel.

ESAY XX.

IN the year that Tarton took Ashdod, Isaiah hath another Prophesy against Egypt, and one against Ethiopia: Tartan was an Assyrian chief Commander under Sennacherib, 2 Kings 18. 17. and it is very probable that he died among the 185000 men that were slain by the Angel, 2 Kings 19. ver. 35. 2 Chron. 32. 21. And so his taking of Ashdod must fall out before that time; And this consideration doth help very well to know the time and method of this Chapter. Isaiah was now in sackcloth, mourning belike for the ten Tribes captiving: And the Assyrian Army is now abroad taking in Cities and places as fast as it can; and the Lord in this Chapter threatens the two most potent Kingdoms then extant, Egypt and Cush, that they shall both be captived and shamefully used by Assyriah. Tarhakah King of Cush faceth Se • nacherib, 2 King. 19. 9. and is foiled by him, as appeareth, Chap, 43. 3.

ESAY XXI.

ABout the same time hath the Prophet a sad vision against Babylon now rising, and against Dumah and Kedar, Countries of Arabia, see Gen. 25. 13, 14. and foretelleth of Kedars ruin within one year, which directeth us to the order and time of this Prophesy; namely, that it was in these conquering times of the Assyrian, before he received his sad blow by the Angel.

He foretelleth of Babylon, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ver. 2. That there should be a cozener of Babylon the cozener, and a spoiler of that spoiler, and that all sighing through Babylonian pressures should cease: That Belshazzers night of pleasure and banqueting should be turned into fear, verse. 4. That while they were furnishing Tables, and setting Sentinels to watch while they eat and drank, the alarm should be given, and they should cry Arise ye Princes and anoint the shield, ver. 5.

By a couple of Horse-men and two Chariots of different draughts he charactreth Cyrus, and Darius, and the Median and Persian Nation, verse. 7. and proclaimeth the ruin of Babylon by them.

Of Dumah he telleth, that in Seir or Idumea it would be questioned, what was the issue of that night when Babylon was destroyed, Watchmen, what of that night? And the issue and the answer should be, that first a morning or some dawning from Babylon's bondage was sprung, but afterward a sad night of sorrow should come on Dumah also, as it had done on Babylon. That Arabias tents should be so spoiled that they should be forced to lodge in the open forest, &c.

ESAY XXII.

THIS Chapter containeth a sad Prophesy against Judea, which he calleth, The valley of vision, because of God's revealing himself there to his Prophets: He foretelleth in it the heavy times that were coming upon that people of Judea, by the Assyrian Army, before it was miraculously destroyed. That the slain thereof should not only be slain with the sword, nor dead only by battle, but dead with famine, verse. 2. for the invasion of that Army should cause husbandry to be neglected, so that Briars and Thorns should come upon the land through this neglect, and there should be this trouble for many days and years together, and lamenting for the pleasant Fields and the fruitful Vine, as Chap. 32. 10. 12, 13. Elam and Kir, Persia and Assyria should be combined in this invasion, and should fill the Country with Charets and Horsmen: that by this misery the Lord should discover the covering, or uncloak the hypocrisy and pretences of Judah, for now they would show their carnal confidence, ver. 9. 10, 11. and their carnal security, verse. 12. 13. He prophesieth of the displacing of Shebna from being over the household, and placing of Eliakim in his room: which was accomplished, and was come to pass when Rabshakeh lay before Jerusalem, Isaiah 36. 22.

ESAY XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXIX.

AS in the two and twentieth Chapter the Prophet had foretold the misery and perplexity of Judea by Sennacherib's army before the Angel destroyed it, so in the first and last of these Chapters he declareth the final desolation of it by Nebuchadnezzar, as he doth the desolation of Tyrus by him, Chap. 23. and the final desolalation of Ephraim by Shalmaneser, Chap. 28. He mingleth many sweet and gracious promises and comforts among his threatenings, &c. He calleth the Altar Ariel, and Jerusalem Ariel, or the Lion of God, the one for devouring sacrifices, the other for devouring men by slaughter: And he threateneth that God would distress Ariel the City, and it should be as Ariel the Altar, with abundance of slain about it, Chap. 29. 2.

ESAY XXX. XXXI.

THE oppression and terror of the Assyrian Army made perplexed Judea look after an arm of flesh, the reed of Egypt, as Chap. 36. 9. This carnal confidence the Prophet taxeth smartly in these two Chapters: yet for his promise sake assureth of deliverance, and foretelleth the Divine vengeance upon the Assyrian. The misery and oppression by this Army, what under Shalmaneser, and what under Sennacherib had been long, and had been grievous; so that they had eaten the bread of adversity, and drunken the water of affliction, and their teachers had been removed into corners, &c. Chap. 30. 20. But as the stream of the Assyrian power had overflowed and rought up even to the neck, as Chap. 8. 8. so should the Lord's anger do now to him, Chap. 30. 28. And they of Jerusalem should have joy in the night, ver. 29. Compare Chap. 37. 36. for the Assyrian should be beaten down with the voice of the Lord, ver. 31. In the valley of Hinnom or Tophet, ver. 33. And should fall, not by the sword either of great, or mean man, but of the mighty God, Chap. 31. 8. These and other particulars do plainly clear the method of these Chapters, and show they lie here in their proper time.

ESAY XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV.

UNTO the same times are we to refer these Chapters also, speaking amongst other things of the sad times that Judah suffered while the Assyrian Army was ranging and destroying up and down, before the Lord destroyed him: That he should spoil the Vintage and Husbandry, Chap. 32. 10. 12. and that he made the Highways waste, and cared not to keep any Covenant that he made, Chap. 33 8. but he should be destroyed, and so should the other enemies of the Church, particularly Edom, who was a constant adversary, Chap. 34. and good and comfortable things should accrue to Zion, Chap. 35.

MICAH III, IV, V, VI, VII.

THE last verse of the third of Micah is owned by the men of Jeremiah's time, to have been uttered in the time of Hezekiah, Jer. 26. 18. and here may both that whole Chapter, and all the Chapters that follow it be very well placed, as Prophesied in some time of Hezekiah's first thirteen years, before Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem; for in Chap. 5. 1. he seemeth to speak of that siege, and of Sennacherib's blasphemy both against God and Hezekiah, smiting the Judge of Israel as with a rod upon the cheek; and he fore-telleth that Christ should be the people's peace in the Assyrians invasion; and that though the proud enemy thought to triumph and tread down the chief City of all the Nation, Jerusalem, yet should that be so far from being insulted over by him, that Bethlehem a poor Town should yield and produce one that should tread both the Assyrian and all other the Churches enemies underfoot. And so as the birth of Christ of a Virgin was a sign to Ahaz, so is his birth in Bethlehem a sign in the days of Hezekiah.

The Prophesy of NAHUM, all.

IN these days of Hezekiah also lived Nahum the Prophet, and was one of the comforters of Jerusalem, Isaiah 40. 1. against the burden and terrors of Assyria. He is generally held to have prophesied in the days of Manasseh with Habakkuk, which he might very well do, beginning in the reign of Hezekiah, and continuing in Manasseh. He mentioneth the evil counsel of Sennacherib against the Lord, and fore-telleth his death in his Idol Temple, Chap. 1. 11. 14. and denounceth destruction to Nineveh, the chief City of Assyria, &c.

2 KINGS XVIII. from ver. 13. to the end, and XIX. all. 2 CHRON. XXXII. from beginning to verse. 24. ESAY XXXVI. & XXXVII.

[World 3295] [Diwision 266] [Hezekiah 14] SENNACHERIB the King of Assyria, having invaded Judah, Hezekiah sends a submission to him at Lachish; who cheatingly gets three hundred and thirty Talents from him, and then departs not away from him for all that year. The Assyrian first sends some of his servants with a Message to Jerusalem, to have persuaded the people out of their own defense; but when that would not prevail, he sendeth a great force against the City; where Rabshakah in the head of them revileth Hezekiah, and the Lord, &c. But Hezekiah praying and sending to Isaiah hath a comfortable answer; and a comfortable sign; A comfortable answer, that the King of Assyria should be bridled and muzzled, and this very thing should be a comfortable sign for the future, that God would prevent the famine which they had great cause to fear; and that God would establish them for the time to come. The Assyrian Army had spoiled all their tillage thorough the Country for a long time, as Chap. 32. 9, 10, 12, 13. &c. and what shall they do now for meat and sustenance, if they scape that Army? Why eat this year what groweth of itself, and what may be found up and down on the Trees and the ground. But what must they do the next year? Which was a year of release and rest, as every seventh year was, and they might not till the ground? Why, Providebit Deus, God will also then provide for them of what grows of itself again, and then the third year sow and reap, and return to your old peace and prosperity.

ESAY XXXVIII. 2 KING. XX. to ver. 12. & 2 CHRON. XXXII. ver. 24.

HEZEKIAHS sickness of the Plague seemeth to have been in the very time while the Assyrian Army lay about Jerusalem; for though the destruction of that Army, by the Angel, be related before the Story of his sickness, yet that his sickness was while that Army was alive may be conjectured upon these two collections.

First, It is past all doubt that his sickness was this very same year that the Assyrian Army was destroyed by the Angel, for if he reigned nine and twenty years, as 2 King. 18. 2. and that stroke of the Angel upon that Army was in his fourteenth year, as verse. 13. of that Chapter; and he lived fifteen years after his sickness, as 2 King. 20. 6. then it makes that matter past controverting.

Secondly, The Lord in his sickness doth not only promise him recovery from his disease, but also that he will deliver him and that City out of the hand of the King of Assyria; which shows there was then danger to him and Jerusalem from that King; And this may be conceived one cause that made Hezekiah to weep so bitterly when the message of death was denounced unto him; because he was to leave Jerusalem and Judea under the pressure and danger of the Assyrian Tyrant, and must not see the delivery of it.

Therefore though the whole story of Sennacherib be laid together as was fit; yet can I not but in my thoughts insert this story of Hezekiah's sickness, before the destruction of his Army; as no doubt it came to pass before Sennacherib's death; and yet is that storyed before it, for the concluding of his History all at once.

To Hezekiah alone is it given to know the term of his life; and the Sun in the Firmament knoweth not his going down, that Hezekiah may know his.

2 KING. XX. from verse. 12. to verse. 20. ESAY XXXIX. all. 2 CHRON. XXXII. verse. 25, 26.

MErodach, or Berodach-Baladan, the King of Babel, visiteth Hezekiah by his Ambassadors, to congratulate his recovery, and to inquire after the miracle of the Sun turning back. The Lord left Hezekiah to try what was in his heart, and it shown folly. The Lord foretells by the Prophet the captivity into Babel, which City and Kingdom is now small, and under the power of the Assyrian, before it rise to be the golden head. For observe in 2 Chron. 33. 11. that Babel is in the hand of the King of Assyria, The Captains of the host of the King of Assyria carried Manasseh unto Babel.

It might very well be that Eser-haddon who succeeded Sennacherib in the Assyrian Monarchy, took offense at Merodach-Baladan, for his intimacy and familiarity with Hezekiah, and thereupon set upon Babel, and took it out of his hands. Babel had been tributary to the Crown of Assyria hitherto, the Assyrian having built it for some of his servants that traded upon Euphrates in Ships, and made it a fair City; but now Eserhaddon subdued it, and defaced it, Isaiah 23. 13.

2 CHRON. XXXII. from verse. 27. to end. 2 KINGS XX. verse. 20, 21.

[Division 267] [Hezekiah 15] HEZEKIAH liveth these fifteen years in safety and prosperity, [Division 268] [Hezekiah 16] having humbled himself before the Lord for his pride to the Ambassadors [Division 269] [Hezekiah 17] of Babel: The degrees of the Suns reversing, and the fifteen [Division 270] [Hezekiah 18] years of Hezekiah's life prolonging, may call to our minds the fifteen [Division 271] [Hezekiah 19] Psalms of degrees, viz. from Psalm 120 and forward: There were Hezekiah's [Division 272] [Hezekiah 20] songs that were sung to the stringed instruments in the House of [Division 273] [Hezekiah 21] the Lord, Isaiah 38. 21. whether these were picked out by him for that [Division 274] [Hezekiah 22] purpose, be it left to censure. The Jews hold they were called Psalms [Division 275] [Hezekiah 23] of degrees, because they were sung upon the fifteen stairs that rose into [Division 276] [Hezekiah 24] the Courts of the Temple. Who so in reading those Psalms shall have [Division 277] [Hezekiah 25] his thoughts, upon the danger of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, and her delivery, and the sickness of Hezekiah and his recovery, shall find that they fit those occasions in many places very well. But I assert nothing, but leave it to examination.

[Division 278] [Hezekiah 26] 1 CHRON. IV. from verse. 34. to the end.

[Division 279] [Hezekiah 27] IN the time of Hezekiah some of the Simeonites subdue the Meunims [Division 280] [Hezekiah 28] and the Amalekites. It is most likely it was not in the former fourteen years of Hezekiah, when the Assyrian Army was all abroad, and none durst peep out, but in his last fifteen years, when that Army was destroyed and gone.

[World 3310] [Division 281] [Hezekiah 29] Hezekiah dieth.

ESAY XXIII. & ESAY XL, XLI, &c. to the end of the Book.

THE prophesying of Isaiah is concluded by the Title of his Book in the times of Hezekiah [though the Hebrews of old have held, that he lived and died in the days of Manasseh, and was sawn asunder by him. The Epistle to the Hebrews may seem to speak to that, Heb. 11. 37.] therefore according to the Chronology of the title of the Book in the first verse of it, these Chapters that are set after the Story of Hezekiah's fourteenth year, or after the Story of the destruction of the Assyrians, and Hezekiah's recovery, are all to be allotted to the fifteen years of his prolonged life, since there is no direction to lay all of them, or any of them in any time else, &c.

The three and twentieth Chapter also falleth under the same time, even towards the latter end of Hezekiah's reign, when the King of Assyria had now taken Babel. This is apparent by ver. 13. spoken of a little before; for there the Lord threateneth Tyrus by the example of Babel; that City had been founded by the Assyrian for his Ships and Shipmen to traffick upon Euphrates, as Tyrus was built on the Sea for the like purpose, but now the Assyrian had brought that to ruin, and so should the case of Tyrus be by the Babylonians. Nebuchad-nezzar destroyed Tyrus, Ezek. 29. 18.

Now the reason why this Chapter, that fell so late in Hezekiah's time, is yet laid in that place where it is, is this: because the Prophesies against those Countries which lay so together, might lie also together, and threatenings and denunciations of Judgments might come as it were all in one body: For it may be observed, that very much of this Book that lieth before the Story of Sennacherib is threatening and terror, and the most of the Book that lieth after is comfort and promises. Only upon mention and promise of Cyrus, Chap. 44. & 45. there is a grievous threatening of Babylon, which ere long grew great, Chap. 46. & 47. for Cyrus was to destroy it.

2 KING. XXI. to verse. 17. 2 CHRON. XXXIII. to verse. 11.

[World 3311] [Division 282] [Manasseh 1] MANASSEH reigneth 55 years. A very bad son of a very good [Division 283] [Manasseh 2] father: He equalleth or rather exceedeth the very Canaanites in [Division 284] [Manasseh 3] abominable wickedness: He is a most extreme Idolater, Murderer, and [Division 285] [Manasseh 4] Conjurer.

[Division 286] [Manasseh 5] 2 KING. XVII. from verse. 24. to end.

[Division 287] [Manasseh 6] In his time the Kings of Assyria planted Samaria with a mongrel people [Division 288] [Manasseh 7] from divers Countries: Esar-haddon was the man, Ezr. 4. 2. who seemeth [Division 289] [Manasseh 8] also to be called Asnapper, verse. 10. unless the Commander in chief in [Division 290] [Manasseh 9] that expedition bare that name. These Samaritans newly settled are devoured [Division 291] [Manasseh 10] with Lions, as the Prophet that came from Samaria was, 1 King. [Division 292] [Manasseh 11] 13. for doing contrary to the Lord. In after times they grow constant [Division 293] [Manasseh 12] enemies, and bitter against the Jews: yet cometh Josiah in the next generation [Division 294] [Manasseh 13] and destroyeth the relics of Idolatry in the very midst of them. [Division 295] [Manasseh 14] To this Plantation of the Country and Cities of Samaria, with such Forreiners [Division 296] [Manasseh 15] may that Prophesy refer in Isaiah 7. verse. 8. if we will count the [Division 297] [Manasseh 16] time from the very delivery of the Prophesy, Within threescore and five [Division 298] [Manasseh 17] years shall Ephraim be broken that it be not a people: Which Prophesy being [Division 299] [Manasseh 18] delivered about the third or fourth year of Ahaz, if we count those [Division 300] [Manasseh 19] sixty five years forward, the end of them will fall about the four or five [Division 301] [Manasseh 20] and twentieth year of Manasseh: And the matter so taken may be understood [Division 302] [Manasseh 21] in this sense, That the Prophet there denounceth such a ruin [Division 303] [Manasseh 22] to Ephraim [and Damaseus is also included in the same Prophesy, and [Division 304] [Manasseh 23] was concluded also under the same Plantation] that it should no more [Division 305] [Manasseh 24] be a People or Country of that name, but the very name now changed, [Division 306] [Manasseh 25] gone, and rooted out. We gave another gloss and date upon these words and years before, namely, counting them backward from the captiving of Samaria, as here we count them forward from the delivery of the Prophesy: the Reader may judge and take his choice.

The Prophesy of HABAKKUK, all.

IN these wicked times of Manasseh lived Habakkuk, and Prophesied against his wickedness, and of him and Nahum may very well be understood that passage in 2 King. 21. 10. The Lord spake by his servants the Prophets, saying, Because Manasseh the King of Judah had done these abominations, &c. therefore I am bringing evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle: which in a manner is the very same with that in Hab. 1. 5. Behold, ye, and regard, and wonder marvelously, for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you: For loe, I raise up the Chaldeans, &c.

This Judgment upon Judea by the Chaldeans was yet to come after some space of time, as Chap. 2. 3. and this Prophet fore-armeth against it by that golden Doctrine, The just shall live by faith: and by fore-telling the Judgments upon Babel itself. He prayeth for the preservation of Prophesy in the captivity in a foreign Land, and calleth the captivity, The midst of years, viz. 'twixt Samuel and Christ: He taketh out his own lesson that he readeth to others of living by faith, and professeth in the greatest extremities and improbabilities of good, yet to rejoice in the Lord, and to joy in the God of his salvation.

2 CHRON. XXXIII. from verse. 11. to the end. 2 KING. XXI. from verse. 17. to the end.

[Division 307] [Manasseh 26] THE wickedness of Manasseh doth in time bring him into chains in [Division 308] [Manasseh 27] Babel, they bring him to be humbled for his wickedness, and that [Division 309] [Manasseh 28] brings him into his throne again: Both his mind and his estate received a [Division 310] [Manasseh 29] great change and alteration; in what time of his reign he was carried to [Division 311] [Manasseh 30] Babel, and how long he continued there is undeterminable; but upon his [Division 312] [Manasseh 31] return to Jerusalem again he maketh a great reformation, and built divers [Division 313] [Manasseh 32] great buildings, and garrisoned the strong Cities of Judah.

[Division 314] [Manasseh 33] And now since the Assyrian Monarchy is ready to fall in the next Generation, [Division 315] [Manasseh 34] let us look back a little upon the growth and rise of it hitherto; [Division 316] [Manasseh 35] and upon the Syrian Kingdom which it hath a good while ago swallowed [Division 317] [Manasseh 36] up. Damaseus the head of Syria, Isaiah 7. 8. was extantin the days of Abraham, [Division 318] [Manasseh 37] Gen. 15. 2. but not mentioned of any great victoriousness till the days of [Division 319] [Manasseh 38] David, nor then the head of Syria neither; for then was Syria divided into [Division 320] [Manasseh 39] several Kingdoms, as Aram Zobah, Aram beth-Rehob, Aram Naharaim, [Division 321] [Manasseh 40] and Aram Damaseus, 2 Sam. 8. 3. & 10. 8. The chief King among them in [Division 322] [Manasseh 41] those times was Hadadezer, the son of Rehob King of Zobah, and who [Division 323] [Manasseh 42] had now joined Rehob and Zobah into one Kingdom, and had also [Division 324] [Manasseh 43] brought Aram Naharaim, or some good part of it into the same Monarchy. [Division 325] [Manasseh 44] Compare Psal. 60. the title, with 2 Sam. 8. 3. &c. Rezin a servant [Division 326] [Manasseh 45] of his runs away from him, and goes to be King of Damaseus, 1 King. [Division 327] [Manasseh 46] 11. 23. then that City began to peep up, and ere long to be head of all [Division 328] [Manasseh 47] Syria; and these Kings reigned there, Benhadad the son of Tabrimmon, [Division 329] [Manasseh 48] the son of Hezion, in the days of Asa, 1 King. 15. 18. Then Benhadad [Division 330] [Manasseh 49] the Son of this Benhadad in the days of Ahab, 1 King. 20. 134. and of [Division 331] [Manasseh 50] his son Joram, 2 King. 6. 24. Him Hazael one of his Commanders stifled, [Division 332] [Manasseh 51] and reigned in his stead, 2 King. 8. 15. and doth Israel much mischief, [Division 333] [Manasseh 52] 2 Kings 10. 32. Benhadad his son succeeded him, 2 King. 13. 24. and [Division 334] [Manasseh 53] after him reigned Rezin the last King of Syria captived by the Assyrian, [Division 335] [Manasseh 54] and Damaseus with him; and so is there an end of the Syrian power.

[World 3365] [Division 336] [Manasseh 55] Manasseh dieth.

Ammon reigneth two years; and is at last slain by his own servants, but his death avenged on those servants by the people of the Land. Whilest the Kingdom of Syria was in its power, the Assyrian Kingdom [World 3366] [Division 337] [Ammon 1] was obscure, and therefore very improperly made by some the first of the [World 3367] [Division 338] [Ammon 2] four Monarchies. No King of it mentioned in Scripture, till Pull in the time of Menahem King of Israel. Famous in Heathen Stories is Sardanapalus, the last King of that Kingdom, whilst it was obscure, and with whom it fell. Before his time it was that Jonah went to Nineveh, and prophesied against it, some thirty or forty years before its fall. In new hands that City and Kingdom began to be great and victorious: The first of the Kings of the new race was Pull, so potent that he pulled a thousand Talents by way of tribute from the King of Israel, 2 King. 15. 19. After him came Tiglath-Pileser into the Assyrian Throne and conquered Syria, and added it to Assyria, 2 Kings 16. 9, 10. Next after him reigned Shalmanezer who captivated the ten Tribes, 2 King. 17. 3, &c. and after him Sennacherib the blasphemous, called also Sargon, as it is probable, Isaiah 20. 1. Esar-haddon succeeded Sennacherib, and he is the last Assyrian King mentioned, if Asnapper were not one, on that Throne, different from him. Then did Babylon swallow up Nineveh, and Nebuchad-nezzar subdued it, and brought it under the subjection of Babylon, whereas Babel had been lately under the subjection of it.

2 KING. XXII. verse. 1. and 2 CHRON. XXXIV. verse. 1. to verse. 8.

[World 3368] [Division 339] [Josiah 1] JOSIAH reigned 31 years, being but eight years old when he [Division 340] [Josiah 2] began to reign. The youngest King that ever sat upon the Throne [Division 341] [Josiah 3] of Judah, as young again as Uzziah, 2 King. 15. 2. and yet was Uzziah [Division 342] [Josiah 4] long off the Throne for his minority: God hath much to do by Josiah, [Division 343] [Josiah 5] and therefore he sets him on the Throne, and shows his piety [Division 344] [Josiah 6] to the world betime: The Lord had spoken of him about 340 years ago, 1 King. 13. 2.

[World 3374] [Division 345] [Josiah 7] JEHOIAKIM born this year: Compare 2 Chron. 34. 1. and 36. 5.

[World 3375] [Division 346] [Josiah 8] JOSIAH setteth himself to seek God in the eighth year of his reign.

[World 3376] [Division 347] [Josiah 9] JEHOAHAZ born, see 2 Chron. 36. 2. He is called Johanan and [Division 348] [Josiah 10] Shallum, 1 Chron. 3. 15. Jer. 22. 11. and said to be the first born of Josiah, [Division 349] [Josiah 11] because he reigneth first, and the fourth Son, because he was last born.

[World 3379] [Division 350] [Josiah 12] Josiah purgeth Judah and Jerusalem from Idols, &c.

JEREMY.

[World 3380] [Division 351] [Josiah 13] JEREMY beginneth to Prophesy in the thirteenth of Josiah, and by Prophesying to help forward the reformation begun, which went on exceeding slowly, not through any negligence of Josiah himself, whose heart was very upright with the Lord; but through the slackness and remissness of the Princes and people, and through the rootedness of Idolatry in them. And hence it is that Jeremy prophesieth so terrible things, and so certain destruction in the very time of reformation. Josiah in the twelfth year of his reign had begun to destroy Idolatry, and yet how much filth of it was remaining in his eighteenth year is almost incredible, 2 King. 23.

Jeremy a young Priest and Prophet for the young King; was, Moses like, a Prophet to Israel forty years, viz. 18 of Josiah, 11 of Jehoiakim, and 11 of Zedekiah; and as Moses was so long with the people a Teacher in the Wilderness till they entered into their own Land, so was Jeremy so long in their own Land a Teacher before they went into the wilderness of the Heathen. The Holy Ghost setteth a special mark upon these forty years of his Prophesying, Ezek. 4. 6. where when the Lord summeth up the years that were betwixt the falling away of the ten Tribes, and the burning of the Temple, three hundred and ninety in all; and counteth them by the Prophets lying so many days upon his left side; he bids him to lie forty days upon his right side, and bear the iniquity of the House of Judah forty days, a day for a year: Not to signify that it was forty years above three hundred and ninety, betwixt the revolting of the ten Tribes, and the captivity of Judah, for it was but three hundred and ninety exactly in all; but because he would set and mark out Judah's singular iniquity by a singular mark; for that they had forty years so pregnant instructions and admonitions by so eminent a Prophet, yet were impenitent to their own destruction.

The Prophesies of Jeremy are either utterly undated, and so not easily, if at all, to be referred to their proper time, or those that are dated, are almost generally dislocated, and not easy to give the reason of their dislocation. The first Chapter at verse. 2. and the third Chapter at verse. 6. do only bear the date of Josiah's reign, and no more mention of any other Prophesy delivered in his time expressly made, and yet there is no doubt that very much of the beginning of his Prophesy was in his time.